Rendel beaten to the post for Richmond parliamentary candidate
The news of Mr Rendel’s attempt to be selected to represent the London borough comes just five months after he said he would not be standing for selection as Newbury MP as the likely general election date would clash with that of local elections.
However, a spokesman for the Richmond Liberal Democrats, who asked not to be named, confirmed this week that Mr Rendel had put himself forward for the position, but in the end, Robin Meltzer was selected last Monday.
In November, the Newbury Liberal Democrats appointed Judith Bunting as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, amid assurances from Mr Rendel that he would carry on with his responsibilities in his role of West Berkshire Councillor for Thatcham Central.
Mr Rendel’s decision to step down marked the end of a political era for the Liberal Democrat, who sat as Newbury MP from 1993 until 2005, and was only the third non-Conservative MP in the history of the constituency, and the first for 71 years.
Mr Rendel said at the time: “I am very grateful to the many Liberal Democrat members and supporters who have urged me to go forward for the parliamentary candidate selection, and I am sorry to disappoint them.
“I want to leave myself free to offer to fight a council seat in 2015, to help the Liberal Democrats regain control of the council as well as the parliamentary seat.”
However, when approached by the Newbury Weekly News this week on his hopes of representing Richmond, Mr Rendel said the matter was an internal party matter and was unable to comment.